Just who is this General Rufus Putnam on our town seal? Well, I did some research and here's what I found. Ohio was being overrun with squatters during the Revolutionary War, causing trouble for peace and growth for the fledgling US. Brigadier General Rufus Putnam and some other officers asked Congress to give them the land instead of payment for their work. This would give the US a buffer against Britain and Spain. The request was denied, so they took another tack. The "Ohio Company" was formed in 1786.

This was far more successful. They got a large block of land, and their ordinance was signed on July 13, 1787, two months before the U.S. Constitution. Things this included were freedom of religion, trial by jury of one's peers, due process of law, and no slavery or involuntary servitude. The area began to be settled by these newcomers, and conflict arose between them and the "hostile" local squatters and also indians.

US Army's books on Rufus Putnam

Page with full info, plaque, etc. on General Rufus Putnam - with a religious bent.

Gen Rufus Putnam

Putnam's Original Hand-drawn Map

Sutton Massachusetts Page > History of Sutton